Washington waived Walker and planned to pick him back up and put him to work in the Capitals' American Hockey League affiliate the Hershey Bears upon clearing waivers, the team where Walker made his mark before finally getting his NHL call-up. But that didn't go to plan.

Washington obviously didn't foresee any of the 30 other NHL teams taking an interest in the Sydney-born left wing, but they did. NHL insiders reported that Edmonton weren't the only team who eyed picking him up either.

After playing seven NHL games, Walker now joins the Oilers searching for speed on the ice, something the Australian is best known for as a small, gritty, 5-foot-8 forward. Edmonton currently sit second-last in the Pacific division with a 10-14 win-loss record, so his work is cut out for him, but he should relish playing alongside NHL star Connor McDavid. The Oilers have won five Stanley Cups in their history, four of which were won with the help of legendary player Wayne Gretzky.

"Hopefully I can just bring the energy and the game that I bring in a positive way to Edmonton."

Edmonton put forward Iiro Pakarinen on waivers and assigned him to their AHL team to make room on the roster for Walker.

"The management and the scouting staff talk about the pace that he plays with - his speed, his ability to penalty kill and just on the upward curve of his career and his entrée into the National Hockey League," Oilers coach Todd McLellan said of Walker.

"Perhaps there's something there that we can develop."

The Aussie will wear no.12 in Edmonton colours, the same number he wore with the Hershey Bears.

Before he was picked up by Washington, Walker had been in career-best form in the last two years in the AHL, scoring 28 goals with 36 assists in the regular season and helping the Bears reach the Calder Cup playoffs, where he scored four goals.

After making the Capitals' 23-man roster for the first time, Walker spoke to Wide World of Sports about his role as an unofficial ambassador for ice hockey back in Australia.

"It’s pretty special, not just for myself but for the whole hockey community back home. Hopefully it can get some more people playing hockey back in Australia," Walker said.